Garment-ventilating means



A. H. COHEN Nov. 28, 1939.

GARMENT-VENTILATING MEANS Filed April 14, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A 1 r r:

Ill! lili'arli l lilllllllllillllllill i'flllilll INVENTOR Alvin H.Cohen Nov. 28; 1939.

A. H. ,COHEN GARMENT-VENTILATING MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 14,19:39

I H will will INVENTOR Alum H oh ATToRN s Patented Nov. 28, 1939 UNITEDSTATES PATENT, OFFICE 2,181,175 7 v GARMENT-VENTILATING MEANS Alvin H.Cohen, New York, N. Y., assignor of onehalf to Frederick L. Katz', NewYork, N. Y.

. Application April 14, 1939, Serial No. 267,776

11 Claims.

My present invention relates generally to garments, and has particularreference to the ventilation thereof. a

My invention is not restricted to use with any particular type ofgarment, but is primarily intended and unusually well adapted foremployment with raincoats, sport jackets, and outer garments generally,which, because of their impervious character or complete enclosure of.the

0 body of the'wearer, can be made more comfortable by ventilation.

I have found that the mere provision of openings or eyelets isnot ofitself suificient to produce an adequate amount of ventilation. What isneeded is a more or less positive means for transferring relativelylarge quantities of air from the interior of the garment to the outside,or vice versa. In accordance with my present invention, this desirableresult is accomplished in a simple and practical manner, withoutaltering the appearance of the garment, and without materially affectingits mode or cost of manufacture.

My invention is characterized by the employment of at least one valvewhich is associated with a wall of the garment, and which is operableunder differences of air pressure on opposite sides of said wall forpermitting passage of air through the valve in only one direction, i.e., either out of the garment from the inside, or

into the garment from the outside.

In a preferred mode of carrying my invention into effect, I provide ameans for continually bringing about these air-pressure differences bythe normal movements of the wearer of the garment, such as the movementsof his arms or legs, or other portions of the body, during the act ofwalking, shooting, fishing or playing a game such as golf or the like.

More particularly, I provide a resilient compressible chamber inassociation with a wall of the garment, this chamber being relativelyflat and preferably arranged on the inside of the garment wall over aconsiderable area of the latter. This chamber may be composed of twosuperposed walls of suitable flexible material, such as soft rubber orthe like, which is substantially impervious to the passage of airthrough it. One of the Walls may, if desired, be formed of a portion ofthe garment wall itself. In accordance with my invention, there arecommunications between the chamber and the inside and outside of thegarment respectively, and valve means are provided which are operableupon compression and de-compression of the chamber, for permittingpassage of air only out of the chamber through one communication, andonly into the chamber through the other communication.

' The chamber is tion where the normal movements of the wearer of thegarment will bring about repeated compression and de-compression. Aconvenient and typical location of the chamber might be, for example,under the upper portion of one or both arms of the wearer.

' I achieve the foregoing objects, and such other objects as mayhereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the manner illustrativelyexemplified in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 isacross-sectional view through a wall portion of a garment with a deviceof the present character associated therewith;

Figure 2 is an-enlarged cross-sectional view through the device ofFigurel showing the relationship of the parts during a compression ofthe chamber;

Figure 3 is a view, similar to Figure 2 showing the diiferentrelationship of the parts during a de-compression of the chamber;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view through a modified type ofconstruction;

Figure 5 is a cross sectional View taken' substantially along the line55 of Figure 4;

Figures 6, 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views similar to FigureA showing,respectively, three other possible modifications;

Figure 9 is a side view ofa garment indicating one possible arrangementof the device; and

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional View taken along the line l0-l[l ofFigure '7.

In Figure l I have chosen to illustrate a wall portion 10 of a garmentwhich is provided with a lining ll, Interposed between the garment walll0 and the lining II is a resilient compressible chamber l2 which may beof rubber or other soft flexible material and which is substantiallyflat. The flatness of the chamber does not appear'in Figure 1, (nor inFigures 2-8) because theseviews are broken away for the sake ofcompactness of illustration, and because the wall thicknesses andrelative dispositions are illustrated in somewhat exaggerated sizes. Itmay be pointed out, however, that the chamber is in each case of suchsoft, fiat, and inconspicuous character, that its association with thegarment is practically unnoticeable, and the wearer of the garmentmay bepractically unaware of its existence and functioning, unless it isspecifically, pointed out to him. The same is preferably arranged in apositrue with respect to the various communications and valves, it beingunderstood that the present drawings are exaggerated in this respect.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3 there is acommunication between the chamber l2 and the outside of the garment,through a flexible tube l3 and an eyelet or equivalent device M. Thelatter may be associated with the garment, and held in place, by aspringy disc 15 or the like, having fingers which press outwardlyagainst a flange or ring IS on the eyelet I4.

There is also a communication between the chamber l2 and the inside ofthe garment, through a similar tube or pipe I! and a similar orequivalent eyelet designated generally by the reference numeral I8, thelatter being mounted in. the lining H.

In each of the communications there is a valve, and in Figures 1-3 Ihave chosen to illustrate. a valve construction of extremely simple andinexpensive character, adequate for the present purpose. The valve inthe tube 13 consists of the two mutually threaded sleeve portions 19and. 20, the portion 20 being provided with a conical valve seat 2i atthe upper end of a substantially cylindrical bore 22. Mounted in themember 20 is a valve member 23 which may be composed of a small integralplug of rubber or the like, of extremely light weight, this valve memberbeing entirely free of connection with the sleeve 20. The valve member23 has a stem projecting into the bore 22, but of smaller cross sectionthan this bore. The valve member 23 is also provided with a conical headwhich is adapted either to rest F upon the conical valve seat 2|, (asshown in Figure 3) or to lift from this valve seat by a slight amount(as shown in Figure 2). The amount by which the valve member lifts offthe valve seat is limited by the inner end of the sleeve member l9,which serves as an abutment against which the valve member strikes orrests. This abutment, however, is provided with slots. or apertureswhich permit passage of air around the head of the valve member 23 whenthe latter is lifted off the valve seat.

A similar valve may be associated with the tube l1, and I haveillustratively shown similar sleeve members 24 and 25, and a similarvalve member 26. In Figure 2 the valve member 26 is shown seated uponthe valve seat, while in Figure 3 it is shown lifted from the valveseat.

The arrangement of the valves in the passages i3 and I: is purposelydesigned so that the valve will operate as shown in Figures 2 and 3. InFigure 2, for example the chamber [2 is shown in process of compression.This forces the valve member 26 into the closed position, and lifts thevalve member 23 into the open position, as a result of which the air inthe chamber [2 is expelled through the tube I3 in the direction of thearrows 21. In Figure 3, the chamber I2 is shown in process ofde-compression, as a result of which the valve member 23 is caused toseat itself into closed position, while the valve member 26 is liftedinto the open position, thus permitting the passage of air through thepipe I! into the chamber I2 as indicated by the arrows 28.

As hereinbefore stated, the entire device is arranged in a positionwhich causes repeated compression and ole-compression of the chamber totake place by virtue of the normal movements of the wearer of thegarment. It will be under-- stood that this compression anddecompression of the chamber is not effected with any predeterminedregularity, but in a haphazard manner which sometimes compresses thechamber a slight amount, sometimes by a much greater amount, andpossibly not at all during certain periods. However, during each periodof compression air is expelled from the chamber to the outside of thegarment, and during each period of de-compression air is drawn into thechamber from the inside of the garment. The ultimate result is that amore or less constant flow of air is positively produced, from theinside of the garment to the outside thereof. This flow of air, in onlythe one direction, produces an efficient and continuous ventilation.

It will be understood, of course, that the valves may be so arrangedthat the flow of air is restricted to a direction from the outside ofthe garment to the inside. The particular direction in which the air iscaused to travel is a matter of choice, and does not affect thefundamental advantageous nature of the arrangement, whereby the flow ofair is always in one direction, and never in the other.

As hereinbefore stated, the drawings are somewhat exaggerated, for thepurpose of more clearly depicting the nature and mode of operation ofthe device. For example, the chamber 12 is preferably of such soft,thin, and flexible material such as that which is used, for example, inordinary toy balloons, that the compression of the chamber isaccompanied by a complete collapse of the two walls thereof; and thetubes 13 and I! (where such tubes are used) may be of similarly thin andflexible material, integrally formed or molded in association with thechamber I2, so that the entire structure is inconspicuously andunobtrusively compact.

If desired, the chamber may have one of its walls constituted of a wallportion of the garment itself, and this possibility is illustrated inFigures l and 8. In Figure 4 the wall of the garment is designated bythe reference numeral 29, and no lining of any kind is shown. Abowlshaped diaphragm 30 is secured at its edges 31, by adhesive means orotherwise, directly to the wall 29, and a relatively flat chamber isthus provided. This arrangement is possible, of course, only where thematerial of the wall 29 is impervious to the passage of air through it,as in the case of a raincoat or similar garment composed of rubber orits equivalent.

In Figures 4 and 5 I have also illustrated the possibility of utilizingdifferent types of valves, since my invention is not restricted to anyspecific type of valve structure. I have shown a valve mounted in theWall 29 which is composed of the mutually threaded portions 32 and 33, afreely floating valve member 34, of substantially T-shapedcross-section, being mounted in the member 32. This member has openings35 which are closed when the valve member 34 seats itself against them,but which permit the passage of air when the valve member is lifted intothe position shown in Figure 4. The amount of lifting of the valvemember may be limited by an abutment 36 provided on the inside of themember 33. This member is also provided with openings 3?, through whichair may pass at all times.

As the valve is arranged in Figure 4, a compression of the chamber liftsthe valve member 34 and permits air to flow out of the chamber throughthe valve communication to the outside of the garment. A de-compressionof the chamber draws the valve member 34 into a position which seals theopenings 35 and thus prevents air from flowing into the chamber from theoutside.

The other valve shown in "Figures 4 and is a tube '38 which'may beintegrally formed on the wall 38 andwhich projects into the interior ofthe chamber. This tube has a yieldable normally collapsed portion'39which is adapted to distend under-the pressure of air that is forced ordrawn through the tube 38. In Figures 4 and 5, the portion 39 is shownin its normal collapsed position, which is the position it assumeswhenever the chamber of these figures is being compressed. When thechamber is de-compressed, air is drawn into the tube 38, and the portion39 distends slightly to permit this air to flow into the chamber in thedirection of the arrows 48.

In Figure- 6 I have shown a bag-like chamber 4| similar to that shown inFigure l and provided with a communication with the interior of thegarment through a pipe 42 and an eyelet 43,

the pipe 42 being provided with a valve substantially similarto thatwhich is shown'a't thebottom of Figures 1, 2 and 3, In this modifiedconstruction, however, the communication between the chamber 4| and theoutside of the garment is provided by means of a valve 44 similar to thevalve shown at the left of Figure 4. This valve is mounted in the outerwall 45 of the garment, just as the valve is mounted in the outer wall29 of the garment of Figure 4, but it also engages with the adjacentwall of the bag-like chamber 4|. In this way the valve serves not onlyas a communication between the chamber and the outside of the garment,but also as a fastening means for holding the chamber 4| in position. InFigure 6. only one valve 44 is shown, but because of the flat andextensive nature of the chamber 4|, it is quite feasible to provide twoor more such valves, these devices serving conjointly as fasteningmeansto hold the chamber 4i in position. In Figure 9, for example, I haveshown an illustrative arrangement of a chamber 46beneath the arm of agarment, and the reference numeral 41 is intended to indicate threefastening devices of the character shown at 44 in Figure 6, it beingunderstood that these fastening devices thus serve simultaneously ascommunications between the chamber 46 and the outside of the garment.

Figure 6 serves also to illustrate the possible use of a compressionspring 48 arranged between the opposed walls of the chamber 4| andserving to urge the chamber 4| constantly and yieldably intode-compressed condition. The use of such a yieldable pressure means isnot essential, if

the chamber is composed of material of sufficient inherent resilience tourge the chamber into normal de-compressed condition. It may be founddesirable, however, to enhance this tendency toward de-compression bythe aid of a yieldable means such as the spring.

In Figure '7 Ihave shown a device substantially the same as that shownin Figure 6, except that the compression spring 48 is replaced by abendable springy finger 49 extending between opposite wall portions 58and 5| of the chamber 52. I have illustratively shown the finger 49 oftubular cross-section (see Figure and integrally formed on the wall 50,but it will be understood that this finger may be of solid crosssectionand may be otherwise supported in a position extending between oppositewall portions of the chamber 52. Also, two or more such bendable fingersmay be provided,.if desired, it being understood that these fingers willbuckle and collapse when the chamber is compressed, but will have aconstant tendency to spring back into the normal -unbent-positions, thusinducin a de-compression of the chamber,

The combined communication, valve, and fastening means 53, shownin-Figure 7, is the same as that which is illustrated at 44 in Figure,6. The tube 54 is the same as that shown in 42 at Figure 6 and isprovided with a suitable valve, as will be understood, the tube 54ultimately communicating through the lining 55 with the interior of thegarment.

' In Figure 8 I have shown a construction which is similar to that"shown in Figure 4. A wall 56 is secured at its edges 51 to the garmentwall 58, thus providing a yieldable compressible chamber. A valve 59,similar to that shown at the left of Figure 4 is mounted in the wall 58,and a similar valve 60 is mounted in the wall 56. Neither of thesevalves nor communications serves as a fastening means, in theillustrated embodiment of Figure 8.

In this figure, I have also shown the possibility of arranging aplurality of yieldable reinforcing ribs 6| on the interior of the wall56. These ribs are preferably integral with the material of' the wall56, and serve the purpose of the spring 48 of Figure Sand of thebendable springy finger 49 of Figure '7,'viz., to urge the wall 56yieldably into the position of Figure 8, thus creating a constanttendency to decompress the chamber.

Various other modifications will readily suggest themselves to thoseskilled in the art, For example, the communication between the chamberof Figure 4 and the interior of the garment could be the same as thatwhich is shown in Figures 1-3; or it could be like that shown at 6 0 in,Figure 8. Similarly, the pipe I! of Figures l-3, or the pipes 42 and 54of Figures 6 and 7 could be replaced by tubes like the tube 38 of Figure4. I 1 f Also, the inlet and outlet communications of Figure 8 could beof the character shown in Figures 1-3, or in Figure 4; while the springyribs of Figure 8 could with equal advantage be provided on' theinterior. of the bag-like chambers of Figures 1-3; f

By the same token, the'spring of Figure 6 or the springy finger ofFigure 7 could be provided in a device of the kind shown in Figure 4.

Also, it will be understood that'a garment may be fitted with two ormore devices of the present type, possibly one. under each arm, or alongthe thigh portions of a pair of trousers or breeches. In fact, it willbe obvious that the invention is not restricted to any particular typeof garment nor to any particular portion of the garment wall.

In general, it will be understood that changes in the details, hereindescribed and illustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of myinvention, may be made by those skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appendedclaims. It is, therefore, intended that these details be interpreted asillustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, and illustrated its use, what Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a garment, of a resilient compressible chamberin association with a wall thereof, communications between thechamberand the inside and outside of the garment respectively, and valve meansoperable upon compression and de-compressionof said chamber forpermitting passage of air only out of said chamber through onecommunication and only into said chamber through the othercommunication.

2. The combination with a garment, of a re silient compressible chamberin association with a wall thereof, communications between the chamberand the inside and outside of the garment respectively, a valveassociated with one of said communications and operable underdifferences of air pressure on opposite sides thereof for permittingpassage of air only out of said chamber, and another valve associatedwith the other of said communications and operable under differences ofair pressure on opposite sides thereof for permitting passage of aironly into said chamber, said air pressure differences being broughtabout by compression and de-comp ression of said chamber.

3. The combination with a garment, of a resilient compressible chamberin association with a wall thereof, communications between the chamberand the inside and outside of the garment respectively, and valve meansoperable upon compression and de-compression of said chamber forpermitting passage of air only out of said chamber throughonecommunication and only into said chamber through the othercommunication, said chamber being relatively flat and arranged on theinside of said garment wall over a considerable area of the latter.

4. The combination with a garment, of a resilient compressible chamberin association with a wall thereof, communications between the chamberand the inside and outside of the garment respectively, and valve meansoperable upon compression and de-compression of said chamber forpermitting passage of air only out of said chamber through onecommunication and only into said chamber through the othercommunication, said chamber being relatively fiat and arranged on theinside of said garment wall over a considerable area of the latter, saidchamber comprising two superposed Walls of flexible materialsubstantially impervious to the passage of air through it.

5. The combination with a garment, of a resilient compressible chamberin association with a wall thereof, communications between the chamberand the inside and outside of the garment respectively, and valve meansoperable upon compression and de-cornpression of said chamber forpermitting passage of air only out of said chamber through onecommunication and only into said chamber through the othercommunication, said chamber being relatively flat and arranged on theinside of said garment wall over a considerable area of the latter, saidchamber comprising two superposed walls of flexible materialsubstantially impervious to the passage of air through it, one of saidwalls being formed of a portion of the garment wall itself.

6. The combination with a garment, of a resilient compressible chamberin association with a wall thereof, fastening means securing saidchamber to the inside of said wall, said means also affording acommunication between said chamber and the outside of the garment,another communication between the chamber and the inside of the garment,and a valve associated with each of said communications and operableupon compression and de-compression of said chamber, one valvepermitting passage of air only into the chamber, the other valvepermitting passage of air only out of said chamber.

'7. The combination with a garment, of a resilient compressible chamberin association with a wall thereof, fastening means securing saidchamber to the inside of said wall, said means also affording acommunication between said chamber and the outside of the garment,another communication between the chamber and the inside of the garment,and a valve associated with each of said communications and operableupon compression and de-compression of said chamber, one valvepermitting passage of air only into the chamber, the other valvepermitting passage of air only out of said chamber, said innercommunication comprising a tube provided with a yieldable normallycollapsed portion adapted to distend under the pressure of air forced ordrawn through said tube.

8. The combination with a garment, of a resilient compressible chamberin association with a wall thereof, a communication between said chamberand the outside of the garment, another communication between saidchamber and the inside of the garment, and a valve associated with eachof said communications and operable upon compression and tie-compressionof said chamber, one valve permitting passage of air only into thechamber, the other valve permitting passage of air only out of saidchamber, said inner communication comprising a tube provided with ayieldable normally collapsed portion adapted to distend under thepressure of air forced or drawn through said tube.

9. The combination with the elements set forth in claim 1, of meansassociated with the chamber for yieldably urging it into ole-compressedcondition.

10. The combination with the elements set forth in claim 1, of meansassociated with the chamber for yieldably urging it into de-compressedcondition, said means comprising a compression spring within thechamber.

11. The combination with the elements set forth in claim 1, of meansassociated with the chamber for yieldably urging it into de-compressedcondition, said means comprising'a bendable springy finger on the insideof the chamber extending between opposite wall portions thereof.

ALVIN H. COHEN.

